To see or to be seen. The Dacian fortresses from the Orăștie Mountains

The Dacian fortresses of the Orăștie Mountains, traditionally viewed as military structures designed to oversee and protect territory, also served as powerful symbols of elite ideology. These fortresses were not merely functional but embodied a visual manifestation of power, intended to project dominance through their architectural forms—such as walls, temples, and roads—to be seen by the populace. This dual role, balancing surveillance with symbolic display, challenges conventional interpretations that emphasize only their military function.

Pupeză, L.-P. (2012). To see or to be seen. The Dacian fortresses from the Orăștie Mountains. Annales d’Université “Valahia” Târgovişte. Section d’Archéologie et d’Histoire, 14(2), 81–85. https://doi.org/10.3406/valah.2012.1121